Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-26
AN OLD LETTER.
Hon. w. G. Woodman Writes Letter to
Hon. John J. Ingalls,

The following ongratulatory letter writ
ten by Commodore W. c. Woodman of tbi.
city, almost ten years ago to Senator In
gals soon after the latter gentleman was
chosen to the L. S. Senate. is, in view OF
recent events and the financial trend of the
times, of no little significance, to say
nothing of the foresight embodied therein
The letter fully explains itself:
WICHITA, Kans., Nov. %, 1877.
Hon. John J. ingalls,.
MY DEAR SENAToR:-Will you pardon the
presumption of a sincere old man IN sending
you ali EAGLE in which is reproduced some
Views of national finance to which beg your
perusal and reflection.
They were not written without study, nor
as herein condensed are they more than tx
poneno of theory or principle which,
properly Illuminated in the light of subSe-
quent and present events will give to this
nation the most sound and heaithful finan-
claI system eXtant to-day.
Now my dear young friend, l will be brief,
sincere, aud l trust not burthensome.
Oar congress for the last few years has
been-alas, alas, for it, departed greatness
it is ''crimlnal or imbeclle" or PERHAPS
both; subjects of the most profound impor-
tance are treated III general rs school boys
would essay upon flies or fleas; verify pig
mics in the hour OF greatest need, while the
nation in want and bankruptcy groanS out
Its tardy days.
There's loft to let;'' the rooms in the
upper story are almost vacant; there is a
place then for the Dung Kansas senator.
have sought to watch with jealous care the la
bors OF that body to see rising statesman, the
nations future hope, and nave marked GU
a md rTuft n.
my dear young friend To yourself and YOUR
own genius, and to the proudes5 OF those
vacant rooms In tina upper story do assign
you. BE of good cheer; battle boldly fo. the
right, and honors untold await you
Ii the Repuolican party would live in the
confidence OF the people lit must be by its
works" This hold the fort policy is orn
out. The day and time has come for ac-
ton. The opportunities We're never so great
Is now. But 1t Is the wand of statesmen and
not the scepter of the demagogue that will
sway the multitude. 1t is even now III the
power of a proper genius TO inspire new
soul in the Republican party 10y the concep-
ton Of proper philosophical theories that
vi" Lad them i'll 1885 TO easy and abundant
victory.
Iuuay the republic lives. But the spirit
of the nation is in bondage. The Repuoll-
can party in the iliustrious past has been
equal to every emergency into which this
growing republic has fallen Shall 1t be
lmbecile or recreant nows Let me answer:
Never. Every industsy, pursuit and calling
OF The country is paraiyzed. This must be
remedied. Exports Of our agricultural and
manufactured productions alone can re>usci-
tate Us. Sea and lsnd transportation must
be stimulated ard cheapenod The finaucisl
system OF the nation Is the basis upon which
all this is 70 be erected, the first step in the
problem, without which ali Others will be
doomed to failure 1t is of first ,uror,.nc.
that the financial system shall be paln, SIM
pie and comprehensive to all ordinary intel
hgence iDo denonetixing In III. system TO
endure TO all times, one and indivislbl. with
the government, not a plastic, temporary
almalgama, to be moulded by the money
bandits of Wall street by games OF sharp
practice To sap the best interests OF thu la
ton and bar It's march in progres, but a sys
tenn that viii provide an abundant currency
for the needs OF the entire country. and be
cure its excellence by protecting it VIII its
own bonds and regulate exchange In tbs